As yoga teachers, we can get pretty burned out teaching the same flow over and over again. I mean, seriously, how many sun salutations can we teach in a day???? 🙄

Our students can feel pretty burned out as well. Often, I see my students “going through the motions” rather than actually taking the time to mindfully move.

This Mandala Flow is super fun and breaks the rut for teachers and students!

HOW TO TEACH

This is a powerful sequence that you can teach as quickly or as slowly as you’d like.

I typically work through the full mandala (both sides) slowly the first round. This allows the students to learn what we’re doing, deepen into the poses and I can cue the kośa allowing them to experience more mental and emotional benefits (see below).

On the second round, we move faster, with our breath (see cues below). We may go through it 1-3 times depending on how everyone is feeling.

This sequence is challenging and powerful, not only for your students but for you as a teacher.

I usually demo while I teach this sequence to keep my Right and Left sides straight. On the first round, as you demo, move around the room so the class can see you. For example, if you ask your students to face the side wall, then you move to the side wall so they can see the next few moves. When they face the back wall, move to the back wall so they can see the form for a Warrior III.

On the faster rounds, you won’t have time to move around the room so keep it easy and demo and cue from the front of your mat. Make sure to keep your Right and Left sides straight!

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Change up this mandala flow to make it your own. Sometimes, I add a Goddess pose instead of Wide Leg Forward Fold. Sometimes, I add a Balancing Half Moon or Warrior III squats to increase the intensity. The options are endless! Just make sure your sequence creates a circle around the mat. When you teach this sequence in your next class, tell me how much your students love it by tagging me on Instagram! Have fun ya’ll!

As yoga teachers, we can get burned out teaching the same flow over and over again. This super fun Mandala Flow breaks the rut for teachers and students!

CUES WITH BREATH

*note: This is just an example. Feel free to move and cue with your own breath.

CUING THROUGH THE KOŚA’S

I love teaching this sequence because it allows the students to experience a change in perception. Have they ever noticed the back wall? What else are they missing in life that is “right behind them?”

People in the back row suddenly get to experience life in the front row (and your front row people learn about life in the back). Encourage your students to think about other areas of their life where they may need a change in perspective.

When your students turn to face the back wall, challenge them to listen to your cues rather than watch your demo. Ask them questions about how well they listen in life. Can they hear the cues or are they easily distracted?

•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•◦•

Starting February 18, join me on FB LIVE every Monday at 10AM MST! I’ll be answering all your questions related to teaching yoga, pelvic floor health, business of yoga and creating community. And don’t worry if you can’t make it LIVE, the videos will be available for replay. 😉 JOIN HERE!